Freund tips Caulker for success

25 September 2012 04:47

Steven Caulker could turn out to be the ideal replacement for John Terry, according to Tottenham assistant Steffen Freund.

Caulker, who had a successful year on loan at Swansea last season, is yet to make a Barclays Premier League start for Spurs, but he was still called up by Hodgson for England's friendly against Italy in August.

'It's definitely possible,' Freund said when asked if Caulker could replace Terry for England. 'He is similar (to Terry). He has already been called up for the national side and he's definitely one of best centre halves in England.'

Terry left England manager Roy Hodgson with a major headache on Sunday night when he announced his retirement from international football. Even though he is 31-years-old, the Chelsea captain was always a consistent performer for the Three Lions and his shoes will be hard to fill.

Freund added: "He is like a rock in the defence, he's very tall and strong, and is difficult to beat in a one-on-one situation. He's very talented and wants to improve every game.

"John Terry was a great centre-half for England, everyone appreciates that, but Steven Caulker is maybe one for the future."

Meanwhile, several Spurs players from the team that beat QPR on Sunday will be rested for the trip to the npower League One side Carlisle in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday.

The victory over the Hoops was ' first win at White Hart Lane at the fourth attempt and his team did it the hard way, scoring twice halfway through the second half after being booed off at the break followed a dreadful first 45 minutes.

Many Spurs fans are still to be convinced that Andre Villas-Boas is the right choice to lead the London club forward, but Freund, who was recruited by the former FC Porto manager this summer, is sure that Tottenham are heading for a bright future under their new boss.

"I'm sure we'll have success," Freund said. "I think it's good to remember his success at Porto, not just what happened at Chelsea last season. He won everything in his first year at Porto. He already has a lot of experience."